KENNY Miller has been there, done it and picked up a few T-shirts in his time. For Danny Wilson, the next one he wears has to be a Rangers jersey.
The 37-year-old may be in the twilight of his career but he continues to shine brightly at Ibrox. If it were not for Miller, Rangers would be building up for their return to Premiership duty this weekend still picking over the bones of a Scottish Cup exit to Motherwell.
The striker is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to put pen-to-paper to keep him at Ibrox beyond the summer. Miller’s influence off the park is as important as his talents on it and defender Wilson hopes fresh terms will be agreed sooner rather than later to secure the services of a key component of Warburton’s squad.
“I think for everyone we want it to be sorted,” he said. “If you speak to Kenny he isn’t looking to go anywhere else. Hopefully, we don’t dwell and get him sorted out here because he’s massive for us here on and off the pitch. He’s been there and done it.
“He’s just as important for us off the pitch as on it, like the way he speaks at team meetings and the way he speaks to the players. The knowledge he can pass on. Hopefully, we can get it sorted.”
Warburton is as keen for Miller to sign on the dotted line as the forward is and performances like that he produced on Saturday further highlight his importance to the team and the squad. For Miller, age is no barrier to success.
Nobody at Ibrox is attempting to push the striker towards retirement but his path when he eventually does hang up his boots seems clear. His knowledge and experience could help shape the next generation of Rangers stars, but Wilson knows Miller can still influence the here and now.
“He showed why he is so important to the team, not just with his goals, but with his all-round performance and the impact that he has on and off the pitch,” he said.
“When he gets the goals, he gets the plaudits of course, but he is very important to us. We were struggling to get goals and he just comes up with that wee bit of quality. Both of his finishes were outstanding.
“If you took his age out of it, he’s an example in everything that he does. Because he is getting on, he is probably looking after himself better than when he was younger. You wouldn’t know his age if you watched his performances he’s put in over the course of a season. He’s very important to us and we are glad to have him.
“I hope he plays on a bit longer first and foremost. He’s looking into the coaching side of the game, but hopefully we can hang on to him a bit longer.”
While Miller appears set to commit his future to Rangers, there remains a doubt over what course Barrie McKay’s career will take. The winger still has 18 months left on his Ibrox deal and was relaxed about the situation when questioned on his future last week.
McKay has enhanced his burgeoning reputation once again this term and his progress in Light Blue has not gone unnoticed. Seven years ago, Wilson found himself in a similar situation and he would eventually leave Rangers to join Liverpool.
“I wouldn’t give him any advice because I think that everyone’s situation is completely different,” he said. “Quite a lot of the time you see young players linked with moves here, there and everywhere and there’s always someone who thinks you should do this or that. It’s not my business. It’s Barrie’s.
“It didn’t affect him at all. Other than Kenny’s goals, he was the outstanding player on the park so if he can keep doing that he’ll be fine.”
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